County Extension

While the history of Valentine’s Day is muddled with the Romans, the Pagans and the Christians claiming credit, it’s a fair bet you had better show up every year with something for your sweetheart. And, getting the last arrangement from the cooler at the supermarket is not a winning strategy.

Roses are traditional but short-lived and, during this time, overpriced. If your significant other likes to play in the dirt, next year consider purchasing a rose that can be planted in the garden.

Things are slowly changing in the garden as January winds down and the days are noticeably longer. The warmer weather has pushed the Japanese flowering apricots into bloom in shades of red, white and pink. The hybrid plum Blireana won’t be far behind.

But, a look around the garden reminds of the ravages of the cold as the New Year got started. Rose leaves are clinging lifelessly to the thorny canes, the boxwoods are bronzed and the Meyer lemon foliage hangs flaccidly waiting for a strong breeze to send it wafting to the ground.

The weather continues to dominate conversations of gardeners and non-gardeners alike. I’m not sure what happened to that prediction of “drier and warmer than normal” for this winter. At least we’re moving back into a more typical pattern.

There’s nothing new to say about the cold weather and our plants. Yes, the sago palms and oleanders got bitten and will require some extra pruning. But, so far, there is no significant damage on other, well adapted trees and shrubs.

Editor’s note: Fourth in a series of eight columns on “Med instead of Meds.”

Eating a Mediterranean-style diet has been shown to reduce a person’s risk of chronic diseases. The basic concepts are to eat lots of fruits and vegetables, whole grains, more fish, nuts, beans, seeds and olive oil similar to traditional diets of people who live in the Mediterranean region.

Romesco sauce is a classic and very popular Spanish condiment, a spicy almond and red pepper pesto-like mixture. It’s such a popular sauce in Spain that it has been referred to as the “ketchup” of Spain.